Br. Benjamin Basile

Oct 5, 2017

Born: Mt. Holly, New Jersey

Joined the Missionaries: 1966

What drew you to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood?
My home parish in New Jersey had week-long missions each June, conducted by Precious Blood priests. I got to know several of the Missionaries while still in grade school, and I liked their style.

What is your current assignment?
Associate Professor of Mathematics at Calumet College of St. Joseph in Hammond, Indiana (for 34 years!). Along with that as my “day job,” I’ve been involved with music ministry at various parishes over the years.

What is the most challenging aspect of your assignment?
The “daily grind” of an academic schedule and figuring out how best to meet individual students’ needs to help them succeed.

What is the most rewarding aspect of your assignment?
Helping students grow and be successful, setting them on a path to actualize their potential.

What did you do before joining the Missionaries?
I joined while a student at St. Joseph’s College. In high school in 1965 I had a part-time job which included making Kentucky Fried Chicken. In those days it was made from scratch. Colonel Sanders paid us a surprise visit one day and tasted some that I had just made. He told me I was doing a great job. (No, he didn’t tell me it was “finger-lickin’ good,” but I knew it was.)

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I just finished a project restoring a small pipe organ from 1898. (Her name is “Martha.”) I’m also into audio equipment and audio restoration. I have a collection of way too many LP’s and other sound recordings and even a collection of 45-rpm record players (the records with the big holes) from the 1940’s and 1950’s.

Aside from St. Gaspar, what are some of your favorite Saints?
St. Joseph, because he was practical and steadfast, caring and dependable. I hope I show some of those qualities.

What is your favorite prayer?
The Our Father, because it was the first prayer my mother taught me and because it says it all.

What is your favorite:Book: Usually the one I just finished. I recently read a murder mystery involving an organ builder.Food: ItalianMovie: HugoHoliday: ChristmasTV Show: Elementary

How much money would you earn on Jeopardy?
I hope I would be pretty successful. I know I would enjoy it.

Would you rather go skydiving or snorkeling?
Snorkeling, although I’d like to skydive once.